Sather Western Civ midterm study guide

What are the geographic characteristics of Greece?

Mountains, islands, coastlines, and poor farmland leading to trade and independent city-states.

What does the word Polis mean?

The Greek city-state, center of Greek political and social life.

What is Arete?

The idea of excellence and virtue, being the best you can be, courage, and honor.

What are the characteristics of Athens?

Democracy, education, arts, philosophy, and a trade-based economy.

What are the characteristics of Sparta?

A military state with strict discipline and a focus on soldiers and obedience.

What caused the Persian Wars?

Persia wanted to conquer Greek city-states.

What were the major battles of the Persian Wars?

Marathon, Thermopylae, and Salamis.

What was the result of the Persian Wars?

Greeks won, leading to confidence and unity, forming the Delian League.

What was the Golden Age of Athens known for?

Drama (Sophocles, Euripides), architecture (Parthenon), and Pericles' expansion of democracy.

What was the Peloponnesian War?

A conflict between Athens and Sparta, where Sparta won, weakening all of Greece.

What was the Delian League?

An alliance led by Athens to defend against Persia, which became an Athenian Empire.

Who is Herodotus?

Known as the 'Father of history.'

Who is Thucydides?

Known for scientific, factual history, particularly of the Peloponnesian War.

Who was Socrates?

A philosopher who questioned beliefs using the Socratic method and was executed for 'corrupting the youth.'

What did Plato write?

'The Republic' and believed in ideal forms.

What were Aristotle's contributions?

Studied science, logic, and politics; tutor of Alexander the Great.

Who was Philip II?

King of Macedonia who united Greece.

What were Alexander's achievements?

Conquered the Persian Empire and spread Greek culture through Hellenism.

What is Hellenistic culture?

A blend of Persian, Greek, and Egyptian cultures.

What are some major achievements of Hellenistic culture?

Advancements in science (Euclid, Archimedes), art (realistic statues), and philosophy (Stoicism).

Why is Rome's location important?

Centered in the Mediterranean, near rivers and fertile farmland, facilitating trade and defense.

Who were the Etruscans?

They influenced Rome with their art, religion, and engineering.

What is Gravitas?

Roman virtue emphasizing seriousness, discipline, and duty.

Who were the Plebeians?

The common people of Rome.

Who were the Patricians?

The wealthy ruling class in Rome.

What is a Republic?

A government where citizens elect leaders.

What was the Struggle of the Orders?

Conflict between patricians and plebeians.

What were the Twelve Tables?

The written laws that protected the rights of plebeians.

How is the Roman Republic set up?

Consuls as executives, Senate as advisory, Assemblies for lawmaking, with checks and balances.

How did Rome use citizenship to unify Italy?

Rome granted citizenship for loyalty to Italians.

What was the Roman Confederation?

Rome's alliance system controlling Italy.

Who was Hannibal?

Carthaginian general who crossed the Alps with elephants.

Who was Scipio?

Roman general who defeated Hannibal.

What were the results of the Punic Wars?

Rome dominated the Mediterranean and gained land and wealth.

What is Latifundia?

Large plantations that put small farmers out of work.

How did the Punic Wars weaken the Republic?

Caused unemployment and military loyalty to generals.

Who were the Gracchi Brothers?

They tried land reform for fairness and were killed for it.

Who was Marius?

Reformed the army to include paid soldiers loyal to generals.

Who was Sulla?

A cruel dictator who used violence to rule.

Who was Julius Caesar?

A brilliant politician and general who died in 44 BC.

What was the First Triumvirate?

An alliance of Crassus, Pompey, and Caesar.

What was the Second Triumvirate?

An alliance of Octavian, Antony, and Lepidus.

Who was Cleopatra?

Queen of Egypt and ally of Antony.

Who was Octavian/Augustus?

The first emperor who ended the Republic.

What is Pax Romana?

The 200 years of peace and stability in Rome.

Who were the Good Emperors?

Strong and fair rulers of Rome.

Who was Nero?

The tyrannical emperor of Rome.

What is the significance of Roman Law?

It is the basis for modern law.

What is the significance of aqueducts?

They carried water and improved health.

What is Judaism?

A monotheistic religion, the basis for Christianity.

What is the Sermon on the Mount?

Jesus's teachings on love and morality.

Who was Paul?

He spread Christianity.

What was the Edict of Milan?

It made Christianity legal.

Who was Diocletian?

He divided the Roman Empire.

What factors led to the fall of the Western Roman Empire?

Invasions, weak economy, and political corruption.

Where was the Byzantine Empire located?

Eastern Roman Empire.

What was the capital of the Byzantine Empire?

Constantinople.

How long did the Byzantine Empire last?

Over 1000 years.

Who were the Patriarchs?

The Church leaders in the Byzantine Empire.

What were Justinian's accomplishments?

Expanded the empire, strengthened the government, built Hagia Sophia, preserved Roman law, and supported arts and education.

What was Justinian's Code?

Organized Roman laws into a clear, lasting legal system.

What were the three elements of Early Middle Ages culture?

Feudalism, manorialism, and Christianity.

What were ordeals?

Trials to determine guilt.

What was the purpose of missionaries?

To spread Christianity.

Who was Pope Gregory I?

He strengthened the Church.

Who were the Franks?

A powerful Germanic tribe in early medieval Europe.

Who was King Clovis?

He united the Franks and converted to Christianity.

Who is Charles Martel?

A significant figure in the Battle of Tours.

What battle stopped Muslim expansion?

Battle of Tours

What were Charlemagne's accomplishments?

United Western Europe, crowned Emperor in 800 CE, and strengthened government.

What was the Carolingian Renaissance?

A time focused on learning, art, and new ideas.

What impact did Charlemagne have on the Frankish kingdom?

He united, expanded, and strengthened the Frankish kingdom.

What rules did Benedict set up for monasticism?

Rules of prayer, work, and simple living for monks.

What was the Viking impact on Western Europe?

Vikings raided, traded, and settled, shaping Europe's culture and trade.

What is feudalism?

An exchange of land for service.

What was the purpose of manors?

Self-sufficient estates providing food, work, and protection for peasants.

What is the difference between free peasants and serfs?

Serfs are tied to the land; free peasants have rights and can leave.

How did the role of women change in the High Middle Ages?

Women worked more in towns and trade but still managed homes and families.

What is chivalry?

A knightly code.

What is the three-field system?

A farming method that rotated crops on three fields to improve harvests.

What advancements led to the rise of towns?

The rise of food and trade, and safer travel.

What are guilds?

Organizations that controlled trades.

What does bourgeois refer to?

The middle class.

Why were cathedrals important to medieval towns?

They were religious and economic centers.

What is excommunication?

Being kicked out of the Church.

What is simony?

Buying or selling Church positions.

What is an interdict?

A Church ban on services in a region.

What was the controversy over lay investiture?

A fight over whether kings or the pope could appoint church officials.

How were cathedrals architecturally designed?

They had pointed arches, flying buttresses, and stained-glass windows.

Who called the Crusades and why?

Pope Urban II called them to reclaim the Holy Land (Jerusalem).

What were the causes of the Crusades?

Religious tension, power, and control of Jerusalem.

What reasons did people have for going on Crusades?

Religious devotion, adventure, wealth, and land.

How did the Crusades impact Europe?

Increased trade, cultural exchange, and stronger monarchs.

Who is William of Normandy?

He became King of England and strengthened royal control over feudal lords.

Why is the year 1066 important?

William won the Battle of Hastings and became king.

What is the Bayeux Tapestry?

An embroidery that shows William's conquest of England.

What did Henry II of England do?

Strengthened royal courts and common law.

Why is the Magna Carta important?

It limited the king's power and protected nobles' rights.

What is Parliament and who created it?

A two-house system (House of Lords & House of Commons) created by English kings to make laws.

How did the Holy Roman Empire differ from England and France by 1300?

It was decentralized; kings had less power than in England/France.